02 February 2012

The Barça midfielder believes his team can cut into Real Madrid’s lead, saying that “over the years we’ve demonstrated a lot of things”.

Thiago Alcántara talked about the possibility of his team cutting into Real Madrid’s seven-point lead. The Barça midfielder is confident that La Liga trophy will once again reside at the Camp Nou at the end of the season: “of course we can fight back. Over the years we’ve demonstrated a lot of things." Thiago believes that in order to claim more titles the team must take it one step at a time and only focus on the next match. “I think in the short term, and that means focusing on Real Sociedad. We cannot be concerned with Valencia or Bayer Leverkusen [right now],” the Spanish-Brazilian midfielder. He added, “we set weekly challenges for ourselves.”

On the game against Valencia, Thiago said that “we didn’t capitalize on our chances. We had a lot of them and we simply didn’t finish them.” On the team’s lack of accuracy in front of goal, Thiago doesn’t believe that Barça depends solely on Messi and his goals: “Messi is a born winner. We have the best player in the world, we are not dependent on him but we must take advantage of his virtues.”

One of the highlights of the match was Carles Puyol’s double roulette. Thiago praised his captain for “showing his quality at Mestalla, a difficult ground ... I have to tip my hat to him and thank him because it was a beautiful thing for football.”

“Luckily he didn’t make the right call.” Thiago was honest when he was asked about the play where it appears that Pinto handles the ball outside of the Barça box. However, Thiago noted that “the referees, with their virtues and defects, do their job, just like players do.” (via FCBarcelona.cat)

Real Madrid and Juventus dreamed but incorporating Malian Keita was clear he wanted to be Barca.

Seydou Keita is happy of having chosen in key azulgrana. With FC Barcelona has reached the sky level and game titles. Malian midfielder revealed in an interview with French newspaper L'Equipe that he had no doubt call at FC Barcelona on the table but had offers from Real Madrid and Juventus.

"Barca called me after two or three difficult years. People had advised me not to go. I was in contact with Real Madrid in a well advanced with Juve. I finally called my agent and said, I will Barcelona, ​​"he said.

Keita also showed his preference for the methods employed by Pep Guardiola which claims to be learning a lot since you're at your service. "With Pep Guardiola, the training is very different from what had hitherto known. I had not worked so far. The philosophy is to have the ball," he said.

The midfielder praised his teammates and his style of play and emphasized that not everything is the result of the quality but also the great work. "To technical part exists the tactical intelligence," he said. (via SPORT)

Barça has become focused on the Real in a soft session yesterday holders also has had homegrown.

Barça has returned to work after a tie in the semifinal round of the Cup against Valencia . Barca team is refocusing on the League and get that next Saturday the Real Sociedad in the Camp Nou .

As usual, the headlines have played in Mestalla recovery. The session has been incorporated Jonathan dos Santos, Tello and Sergi Roberto, Barca B and Miguel Angel, Bagnack, Jordi Quintillà and David Babunski, the juvenil A.

The best of the month of January has been Juventus, ahead of Barcelona.

Barcelona and Real Madrid continue dominating the world classification of clubs of IFFHS that has not suffered changes in the first seven positions during the month of January.

In the "Top 100" there are clubs in 38 countries: 68 teams are from the UEFA, CONMEBOL, 22, four of the CAF, four in the AFC, two from CONCACAF and none of the OFC, while the leagues that have with a greater number of clubs representatives in the "top 100" are: England (7), Brazil (7), Spain (6), France (5), Italy (5), Russia (5), Portugal (4 ), Germany (4), Argentina (4), Belgium (4), Netherlands (4). (via AS)

A Guardia Civil wanting to give the note delayed the departure of team Valencia Airport.

The expedition left for FC Barcelona Manises airport after the game with Valencia and there met an exceptional character which delayed the departure Barca.

At the airport control, the Guardia Civil would strictly enforce existing legislation and made the players over the control becomes eternal. First there was the ice that Alves had a bag to ease the pain that was not accepted in the control to contain liquids.

The next objective was the shampoo and the gel carrying the vanity Thiago Alcantara and Carles Puyol, who was also pleasing to the driver and asked them to empty the entire contents of their handbags.

If that was not enough discomfort that was creating the Guardia Civil had made a last whim and to divest all of the new jacket worn by players of FC Barcelona to go through the arch.

Finally and in spite of the Guardia Civil's requirements the expedition was able to leave from the airport of Manises. (via SPORT)

Gerard Piqué celebrates his 25th birthday today, Thursday 2nd February. The Barça defender and Masia graduate can celebrate the big day after playing a big part in last night’s draw that takes Barça a step closer to yet another final.

Although he is only 25 today, Gerard Piqué can boast an impressive c.v., with 13 titles won at the Club – including three league championships and two Champions Leagues- as well as one Premier League, a Carling Cup and a Champions League medal with Manchester United and a World Cup Winners medal with Spain.

To celebrate his birthday, we have put together a video of his best goals and moments, both in the academy and first teams. Happy Birthday Gerard! (via FCBarcelona.cat)

Seydou Keita, who is playing in the Africa Cup of Nations with his national team, was key in Mali’s victory over Botswana (2-1). The FC Barcelona midfielder scored the second and decisive goal. With this victory, Mali ensured qualification to the quarterfinal round of the competition and they will play Gabon on Feb. 5. (via FCBarcelona.cat)

The centre back scored his third goal of the season and he equals his best scoring run set in the 2006/07 season.

Two weeks ago when Barça was losing at the Santiago Bernabéu, Carles Puyol showed up to rescue FC Barcelona, tonight was no different as he scored the leveller at Mestalla. In this case, it was Cesc not Xavi -on the bench tonight- that took the corner kick that the captain headed in. It’s a goal worth its weight in gold and it bring Barça one step closer to the Cup final.

Puyol has scored three goals this season. The first one came in the Liga, against Zaragoza (4-0), when he latched onto a free kick sent in from the left side. The following two came in the Cup, against Madrid and tonight’s in Valencia, both of which were scored when his team was down 1-0.

With these three goals, the captain equals his best scoring run in a season. The last time he bagged three was in 2006/07.

In total, Puyol has scored a total of 12 goals for the first team in his 535 appearances in official matches. Many of them were decisive: the one that gave Barça the lead against Madrid in the famous 2-6 rout; the one that gave the team the Liga title last year; or tonight’s, which gives Barça the advantage in the return leg at the Camp Nou. (via FCBarcelona.cat)

The FC Barcelona players are satisfied with tonight’s result. “The tie depends exclusively on us, and that’s the most important thing,” said Mascherano.

Gerard Piqué: “a draw with goals is always good away from home in the Cup. Valencia is having a fantastic season. It wasn’t easy”.

Dani Alves: “We are at a good level and we have the opportunity to go onto the final”.

Javier Mascherano was one of the footballers that talked to the press after tonight’s match: “it’s a good result but it could have been better seeing how the game played out. We played against a great rival and we had good chances. Sometimes the ball just doesn’t go in. The important thing is that we played a good match and we created scoring chances.” Mascherano didn’t want to talk about bad luck: “I don’t like to talk about good luck or bad luck. A lot of teams go through these phases. We have to keep working and give the best of ourselves. That's the best way to change things.” The Barça player went on to say that “the tie is in our hands and that’s the most important thing. It depends exclusively on us.”

Here are the post-match reactions from the players after the semifinal away leg:

Gerard Piqué:

“We dominated the game. Winning here is always difficult. We had good chances and we missed them. But it’s a good result ahead of the return leg.

“A draw with goals away from home is always good in the Cup. Valencia is having a great season. It wasn’t easy.”

On the team’s form: “it’s a bit exaggerated. We don’t win as easily as we used to but we continue to secure good results.

“The pitch was very dry and high. It wasn’t easy to play.”

Dani Alves:

“We played a great game. We hope to be up to the task in the next match.”

On Pinto’s hand ball outside of the area: “it’s a play that happens during a game. You can call it or not. Referees are human. I believe the hand ball was involuntary.

“We’re at a good level and we have the opportunity to get into the final.”

Víctor Valdés:

“The team did a phenomenal job. I’d highlight Puyol’s goal. The captain is on form. It’s time to secure the tie at home in front of our fans.”(via FCBarcelona.cat)

Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves spoke about the penalty that stopped him Leo Messi.

Diego Alves, Brazilian goalkeeper of Valencia CF, said after the match against FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, "Messi in the penalty should be put up and try to trick you."

"Playing in the Almeria and fits a penalty goal from Messi, I'm happy to stop it," said the Valencia goal in Canal Plus. "We have scored a goal from set pieces, but in the end a draw is good," said Alves. (via SPORT)

Valencia coach Unai Emery admitted that FC Barcelona had been higher, but locates the resolution of the tie in the Camp Nou.

Unai Emery, Valencia coach admitted that Barcelona had been better at the meeting this Wednesday, but said his team had worked hard and was optimistic about the possibility of winning or tying two or more goals in the Camp Nou.

"We wanted a better result, be more successful and more from playing with a Pinto played the hand ball outside the area, but we could not. I'm not sad, but I try to analyze the reality and the truth is that we won, "he said.

Emery felt that the hands do not have blasts proposed a different party, but also indicated that to beat the Barcelona must be added many details, one of them that play.

"These are decisions that can not change, or insist on it. The referee was wrong, but is not in our hands to change. So now we have to think about other things," said Emery, who considered he had done a good match although Messi was "protagonist" every time he took the ball.

"I'm happy for the game, the result could be better and the tie is open," Emery summarized his view of the meeting.

He also admitted he was worried by the fact that his team was surprised to see standing on the balls.

"We have made a goal and more than one occasion. Are specific events that cost us goals, but I will not make a drama with it. We will work," said Emery, whose team has won several times in these plays in the last meetings. (via SPORT)

José Manuel Pinto , Barcelona goalkeeper, recognized today, after the game his team faced with Valencia at the Mestalla, having touched the ball, "the armpit" and involuntarily outside the party in an action that could mean expulsion .

"I slipped and I fell on the ball and has contacted the armpit. It's been unintentional," he assured Pinto on the action of 19 minutes in which an inmate cut Roberto Soldado arm outside the area.

"It was a fortuitous action. I went for the ball and hit me in armpit," repeated the Barcelona goal, who also said he does not know if that action could determine the game and its final result (1-1).

On being informed that his coach, Pep Guardiola, they had recognized that this action might influence the development of the game, Pinto said, "That is your opinion, everyone has their own. I have nothing to say."

In addition, Pinto has also indicated that the marker does not resolve the tie, but that Barcelona had a chance to have achieved a better result for the second leg, to be held at next week.

Argentina's Javier Mascherano has said that he had been unaware hand outside of his fellow Pinto. "I hear now that you say to me, so I can not comment," he said. (via MD)

The vice president of Barcelona, ​​Jordi Moix, stated that since the club azulgrana"is not talking about the referees'. And he remembered that none of the Catalan "go to the car parks", but "we evaluate what is happening."

The vice president of Barcelona, ​​Jordi Moix , stated that since the club azulgrana "is not talking about the referees," and recalled that in the Catalan "is not going to the car parks", but "we evaluate what is happening . "

Speaking to Canal Plus , Moix , in charge of Barcelona's heritage has been very graphic when you have asked about the action in which José Manuel Pinto has touched the ball with his hand outside the area and should have been expelled. "Pinto is a little out of the area on that play, but I will appreciate it. Barça is not talking about the referees, they asked if they favored or harmed us and said, nothing more," said Moix , on a recent statements by President Sandro Rosell about it.

But Moix was further on: They have whistled "us two or three penaltis in one year. It is necessary to be very respectful because it is a very difficult job. The vice president refers to some images provided by a Barcelona newspaper after the semifinal round of Copa which saw Real Madrid coach, Jose Mourinho , waiting for the referee of that match, Teixeira Vitienes in the parking lot of Camp Nou Referee to show their dissatisfaction with the arbitration. (via MD)

The manager said that tonight’s match was the one “that they created the least amount of problems for us” since he took charge of the FC Barcelona.

The manager believes that tonight’s result is good because “it’s better to go to the Camp Nou with the obligation of winning”.

This was the fifth time that Pep Guardiola played in Mestalla against Valencia since he took charge of the Barça bench in the summer of 2008 - 4 in the Liga and 1 in the King’s Cup. The manager declared that tonight’s match “was the best game we’ve played here.” He went on to say that this was the game that Valencia, who always make it difficult for Barça, “that they created the least amount of chances” since he took charge of the Barça helm. Guardiola also said that “beyond the stats we once again played very well on a very dry pitch and that’s always hard. But they are coming and we'll wet the pitch down (at the Camp Nou).”

“It’s better to go to the Camp Nou with the obligation to win. If you go with a 1-2 or 1-3 you sometimes get the impression that the tie is over,” said Guardiola when asked about how his team will deal with the retun leg at the Camp Nou (next Wednesday at 21.00). The manager is cautious about next week’s match and he called on the Camp Nou faithful to cheer his side on, saying that “we have to win the return leg.”

On the controversial play involving Pinto, where Valencia appealed for a hand ball, the Barça manager explained that “they told me that it was a handball outside of the area.” He recognized that “Pinto’s expulsion would have conditioned the match.”

Guardiola also talked about Xavi, who was on the bench tonight, “Xavi needed to rest, rest and rest.” (via FCBarcelona.cat)

Valencia president, Manuel Llorente spoke after the end of the game and charged the arbitration proceedings, which he was influenced by the words uttered from the FC Barcelona during the week.

Manuel Llorente, Valencia president criticized the actions of the referee in the match against Barcelona, ​​especially by the hand of Jose Manuel Pinto in goal the first part, which could have meant deportation and "hurt and Conditions" to all Unai Emery.

For Llorente, the action "has been very clear. They have realized the 49,000 spectators who have come to the stadium. It was the last player. A clear action. It is clear that we must talk about the referees," he told Canal Plus Llorente, who insisted that "there have been plays that have shaped a little game".

Valencia president in the action claimed the expulsion of Barcelona goalkeeper, who played the hand prevented a goal from Roberto Soldado.

"There are teams that have usually decided to talk about the referees. We do not talk about the referees, but the teams are talking to them all week long condition. At the beginning of the game has been a lack neither the referee nor the linesman had seen, but the whole stadium. It is something that is always trying. you do not speak the first in the league, says the second. Us, third, we don't speak. These do not speak, we use seem to say, "Llorente said.

The President Valencia refused to return to talk about the referee. "I've talked about here. Now back to the same line as before."

"I am satisfied with the game. The two teams have played to the limit and there have been plays that have shaped a little game," he said. "The tie is open but us if we go with the intensity that we played today we have a chance, "said Llorente.

"We're pleased with the game that has made ​​Valencia. front has a very good team and you have to play really the limit to play Barcelona If the referees are put up on their side going bad, "again highlighting the president of Valencia, who said the move with his counterpart from Barcelona, ​​Sandro Rosell," indicating that only fault. " (via SPORT)

Barça managed to get a valuable draw in Valencia in the first leg of the Cup semifinal, in a game where Jonas put the home side ahead, and Puyol equalised with a header. The Camp Nou will decide who’ll go through to the Final.

The Cup produced fireworks once again. In an electric match, Valencia and Barcelona came out even in a match where Jonas put the home side ahead before Puyol equalised with a header from a corner. The goals aside, Guardiola's team were on top from start to finish and deserved better luck in Mestalla, where Messi missed a penalty and Dani Alves thundered a shot against the post in the second half.

Nevertheless, the draw and the great football produced by Barça, will send them with optimism into the return leg at the Nou Camp, which will be played next Wednesday (21.00h).

The semifinal started with Barça well on top. Playing in the opposition's half, Guardiola's players combined well against a Valencia outfit that, when they had the ball, probed away down their left wing, a ploy that worked for them against Barça in the League match. This time it also worked: a run down the left from Mathieu ended with a shot from Jonas that beat Pinto.

Before the 1-0, Messi almost scored the first with a free-kick that went close, and Valencia appealed for a red card for Pinto, for handling outside his area. After this, Barça continued to dominate the game. They just lacked the final pass, the decisive one, but it came after a move where Alexis just failed to beat Alves in the Valencia goal, and the ball went out for a corner. The equalising goal came from the resultant corner, and it was a replica of the Barça goal at the Bernabeu, in terms of the goalscorer. Puyol, at the far post, scored the valuable equaliser with a terrific downward header just inside the post.

The second half saw Barça in charge once again. In the first dangerous move the referee disallowed a goal by Alexis, for off-side, and, shortly after, Miguel brought down Thiago inside the area to give away a penalty. Diego Alves guessed Messi's intentions and saved the spot-kick to keep the score at 1-1, a save that was reminiscent of the one by Varas at the Camp Nou.

Just like after conceding the first goal, Barça responded in style, with their classic football, and laid siege to the Valencia goal. In one of their many attacks, Alves, who came on for Alexis, was on the verge of putting Barça ahead with a shot that came back off the far post. Only a bit of luck, and finesse inside the area, prevented Barça from coming away from Valencia with a win. Still, the result is a good one with the second leg to be played at the Camp Nou next Wednesday (21.00h). (via FCBarcelona.cat)

Goals: 1-0, min. 26. Center of Mathieu and shot of Jonas, unstoppable for Pinto.1-1, min. 35. Corner to the right of Diego Alves that Cesc takes out the second stick and Puyol, winning the departure to Victor Ruiz, it finishes off dive to the net.

The best footballer in the world, Homare Sawa of Japan, whom the world compares with Leo Messi, Barca fans pleaded and, especially, midfielder Xavi Hernandez pointed to as a reference.

Sawa coincided so much with Leo Messi as with Xavi in the Ballon d'Or gala in Zúrich, where she and the Argentinean were distinguished with the trophy that credits them like best footballers of the planet in 2011.

The Nippon is on tour in Barcelona with her team, the INAC Kobe Leonessa, and tomorrow will face Barcelona in a friendly female whose profits will go to earthquake victims in Japan.

"Xavi is a player I like a lot, because he has arrived, much control of the ball and the last pass. He is very important for his team, and is not a physically large and powerful player. It's wonderful," answered when Sawa asked about her favorite player.

Japan has become a celebrity in her country since he led her team to World Champion, being best player and top scorer of the World, and for these reasons are continuous comparisons with Leo Messi.

Sawa, however, refuses to be measured with the talented Argentine player, despite its recent rise in popularity and carry 80 goals for her country.

I am not by no means to their height. It is true that I was in the ceremony of the Ballon d'Or with him, but I am not able to be at their level, by no means", has declared in a press conference before the tomorrow's game.

The midfielder herself has abounded in her admiration for the game Barca team that recently saw live in Japan, when Josep Guardiola took the Club World Cup against the Santos.

"It is difficult to define in words the Barca game. Of course I see the games on TV and I saw him live at the World Cup. Her game is joy, make people happy. For me it is difficult to describe football , how good it is, "he stated.

Her coach, Japan's Kei Hoshikawa, has gone further and said "love" the game of Barça. So when in doubt about who the best coach in the world, with the duality Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola, has not hesitated to Nippon respond.

"The two are both very good coaches, but in football, besides winning, I like to play well. So I think that Guardiola is the best coach," he said.

Sawa can not cope or Xavi or Messi on the pitch, but will have the chance to make huge flashes of quality Mini Stadium against Barca female in a game that has raised great expectations in their country of origin.

Her "Visca el Barça" at the end of the conference has demonstrated the enthusiasm with which the Asian players face this match. (via SPORT)

The FC Barcelona exgoalkeeper, Vitor Baía, admitted in 'Esports COPE' that Mourinho would have been a good coach for Barça.

The FC Barcelona exgoalkeeper, Vitor Baía, admitted in the program 'Esports COPE' that Mourinho would have been "safe" a good coach for Barça.

He added: "Mourinho has a capacity to adapt very well to all cultures. Porto Mourinho was one, the Chelsea was different. And Inter has nothing to do with the other. And in Madrid is another well ".

The Portuguese praised his compatriot and top in the top of the list of coaches of the day: "For me, Mourinho is the best coach in the world. He is very special."

Although Vitor Baía recognized that Mourinho, face Barca, is one of the roadblocks, he was entrusted with the Real Madrid's league win: "I have no doubt that the Madrid train is the most complicated challenge of his career, because This boat is awesome. Although I'm sure this year's Madrid will win the league. "

Figo also did not hesitate to express their preference for Cristiano Ronaldo over Messi: "I like Portuguese love more Cristiano , because I have to go out and defend what is ours. But of course Messi is from another galaxy. " (via SPORT)

Barca coach Pep Guardiola was the character chosen by the organization of the party 'Senyoretes i Homenots' the famous Carnival of Torelló (Barcelona) to star in the lineup of the festival.

In the poster one can see the coach azulgrana characterized as a virgin with the motto we "Hagámoslo la santa". And it is that one of the traditions of this party is their poster that usually transforms a character in a 'senyoreta o homenot.' Guardiola unites this way among other to a wide list of transvestites in which appear also, the princess Letiza, Ana Bottle, current mayor from Madrid, and the mismismo Obama, president from United States This popular party, organized by San Félix's association Pupils, is part of the Carnaval de Torelló for more than 25 years. In her, the inhabitants of the town exchange the papers during one day. The boys get dressed of woman and the small of boys. (via SPORT)